Alfred Cleveland Maslen – Royal Naval Patrol Service

Engineman Alfred Cleveland Maslen – Royal Naval Patrol Service

Birth and Family Background

Alfred Cleveland Maslen

Frederick Joseph Maslen and Elizabeth Harris
marriage certificate
St. Mathen’s Church, Dyffryn

Alfred Cleveland Maslen was born in 1899 at Oystermouth. He was the son of Frederick Joseph Maslen and Elizabeth Harris, who were married in 1894 at St. Mathen’s Church, Dyffryn.

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the Maslen family were residing at Waverley House, West Cross. Frederick Joseph Maslen (43) was employed as a house carpenter, while his wife Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) (37), born in Bryncoch, managed the household. Their children were Frederick Ivor (14), a telegraph messenger; Alfred Cleveland (12); Cyril Brynmor (9); and Phyllis Nora (8), with the younger children attending school.

Early Naval Service

 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve service records

Alfred Cleveland Maslen’s Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve service records have survived, showing that he enlisted with the Royal Navy in 1915, serving with the War Fleet Service Divisions during the First World War.

1921 Census

By the time of the 1921 Census, the family had moved to Arcadian, West Cross. Frederick Joseph Maslen (53) was then working as a joiner and undertaker, on his own account, while Elizabeth (47) undertook household duties. Their children included Frederick Ivor (25), a clerk lodger employed by H. Billings & Sons, Builders, Swansea; Alfred Cleveland (23), a chauffeur, formerly employed by the Main Colliery Company but out of work; Cyril Brynmor (20), a builder’s labourer employed by J. Banfield & Son; Phyllis Nora (18), a boot and shoe dealer’s assistant employed by W. & J. Wallace; William Frank (8), attending school; and Chad Margaret (3).

Marriage and 1939 Register

Alfred Cleveland Maslen and Dinah Grace Kingdon
marriage certificate
Parish Church of Neath

In 1923, Alfred married Dinah Grace Kingdon at the Parish Church of Neath.

1939 Register 

At the time of the 1939 Register, Alfred and Dinah were residing at 73 Mumbles Road. Alfred C. Maslen was employed as a bus conductor with South Wales Transport, while Dinah undertook household duties.

Second World War Service and Death

During the Second World War, Alfred Cleveland Maslen served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service, holding the rank of Engineman aboard H.M. Trawler Andre Monique.

H.M. Trawler Andre Monique

H.M. Trawler Andre Monique was a requisitioned merchant fishing trawler serving with the Royal Naval Patrol Service, converted for naval duties including minesweeping, patrol work, and escort operations in British coastal waters. By October 1941, trawlers of the Patrol Service were heavily engaged in protecting vital shipping routes around the British coastline, an area under constant threat from German naval mines, submarine activity, and air attack. Mines posed a particular danger, having been regularly laid by enemy aircraft and submarines in coastal approaches, harbours, and shipping lanes.

On 10^th  October 1941, when Engineman Alfred Cleveland Maslen died on board Andre Monique, the vessel was engaged in active patrol or minesweeping duties. Losses among crews of such trawlers were frequent, as these small and lightly protected vessels operated in dangerous conditions and close proximity to naval mines. Deaths could occur not only through direct enemy action but also as a result of accidents, explosions, mechanical failure, or illness while on operational service.

Although Andre Monique herself was not recorded as being sunk on that date, Alfred Maslen’s death occurred while the vessel was on active wartime duty, and it was officially recorded as service-related. The work of the Royal Naval Patrol Service—often described as the Navy’s “forgotten service”—was essential to maintaining the safety of Britain’s coastal waters, and casualties sustained aboard vessels such as Andre Monique reflected the hazardous nature of this vital role.

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records

Alfred Cleveland Maslen
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

South Wales Daily Post

The British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records confirm that Engineman Alfred Cleveland Maslen died on board H.M. Trawler Andre Monique on 10^th October 1941. He was buried at Oystermouth Cemetery, and his death was reported in the South Wales Daily Post.